CLEVELAND (AP) — Brock Purdy has been Brock Perfect so far. San Francisco’s young quarterback is 10-0 in 10 career starts for the 49ers, who will put their unbeaten record on the line Sunday at Cleveland. Purdy was the last player drafted in 2022. Now, he’s the top-rated QB in the league and perhaps the early frontrunner for MVP honors. Purdy is surrounded by playmakers on a high-octane offense, but the 23-year-old has shown he can make plays as well. The Browns, meanwhile, have issues at quarterback and are expected to be without Deshaun Watson again this week as he recovers from a bruised right shoulder.
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Who: Browns vs. 49ers
When: 1:00 PM ET, October 15, 2023
Where: Cleveland Browns Stadium
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49ers’ Purdy puts his perfect start on the line in a road game against Browns’ top-rated defense
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
CLEVELAND (AP) — Brock Purdy has been labeled a game manager and system quarterback. He has been described as robotic, savvy and consistent. Most famously, he has been called Mr. Irrelevant.
However, there’s one word that perhaps best sums up the startling start to his professional career: Perfect.
In less than two seasons, San Francisco’s 23-year-old QB has risen from being the final pick in the NFL draft (hence Mr. Irrelevant) to being in the conversation as one of the early frontrunners for MVP this season.
Going into Sunday’s game against Cleveland’s top-ranked defense, Purdy leads the league in passer rating (123.1) while completing 72.1% of his passes. He has thrown nine touchdown passes, zero interceptions and allowed fans in the Bay Area to turn the page on Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance.
And in case anyone was still wondering if his start was a flash or fluke, Purdy threw four TD passes last week as the 49ers (5-0) demolished Dallas 42-10 on national TV — the most lopsided outcome in the storied rivalry.
Purdy is 10-0 in 10 career regular-season starts, and he’s unbeaten in the 13 games in which he’s played at least three quarters. No. 13, 13-0. Brock perfect.
As they geared up to face Purdy and his plethora of offensive playmakers, the Browns (2-2) have been impressed with the young QB’s skillset.
“He’s been great for their team,” said cornerback Denzel Ward. “Able to get the ball out quick, put the ball where it needs to be, goes through his progressions. Accurate quarterback, able to make every throw on the field and just leading those guys over there.
“He’s definitely coming up in this league and definitely going to have a challenge ahead of us.”
Niners coach Kyle Shanahan staunchly defended Purdy earlier this season against those critics who argued he was merely a product of San Francisco’s innovative schemes. Purdy has changed some of the narrative by showing he create when a play breaks down.
There isn’t much Purdy does that shocks Shanahan anymore, but he is surprised by his steadiness at such a young age,
“He does it all the time, but just to continue doing it at such a high rate has been pretty unbelievable,” Shanahan said. “Just how good he’s been, how many plays he’s made and how many plays he hasn’t made for the other team. The consistency of that has been what’s been impressive the most.”
Although he hasn’t faced Purdy, Browns defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz has had great success in matchups against Shanahan, going 7-1.
Schwartz has transformed Cleveland’s defense from problematic to powerful in his first season. The Browns lead the league in fewest yards allowed (196.8) and passing yards (125.0). Cleveland is tied for second in points (15.0) and fourth against the run (71.8).
They played poorly two weeks ago in a 28-3 loss to Baltimore, and the 49ers will be by far the unit’s toughest test.
“We’re going to have to play our game and accentuate our guys,” Schwartz said. “We have some multipurpose players that can do a lot of things. It’s going to be a great matchup. This is NFL football at its finest. This is an outstanding offense, a good defense.”
And at the moment, a perfect QB.
NEXT, NEXT MAN UP
Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson is expected to miss his second straight game with a bruised right shoulder — an injury that has grown from minor to mysterious.
The team’s mixed messaging prompted speculation about the severity of the injury to Watson’s toughness.
Unlike two weeks ago, when the Browns started rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who had a forgettable NFL debut against Baltimore, Cleveland will elevate P.J. Walker from the practice squad to either start or back up Watson.
Walker made seven starts over three seasons with Carolina, and that experience should give the Browns some comfort.
“He throws the ball really well,” said Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt. “I liked him coming out when I was in Green Bay. I always thought he was a really good quarterback, so I followed him through my time of evaluating him in college and through his career. He does a nice job.”
ON THE EDGE
Once again, San Francisco’s offensive line has its hands full.
The Niners have faced some of the league’s best outside rushers so far this season with mixed results.
Pittsburgh’s T.J. Watt had three sacks and two forced fumbles in the opener. San Francisco had better results slowing down Dallas’ Micah Parsons, holding him to a season-low two pressures, including none in eight pass rushes against All-Pro tackle Trent Williams.
Now the Niners have to deal with Myles Garrett, who has 5 1/2 sacks already this season.
“Our job never stops. You go from Micah Parsons to 95 over in Cleveland,” Williams said, referring to Garrett’s number. “It doesn’t get too much better than that. There’s not any time to rest on our laurels.”
PASS RUSH REINFORCEMENT
San Francisco’s defensive front should get a boost this week with the expected debut of Randy Gregory.
The Niners acquired Gregory late last week from Denver to give them another pass-rushing threat opposite Nick Bosa. Gregory struggled with injuries and production in his two seasons with the Broncos, but should fit better in San Francisco’s aggressive system.
“I think he just needs to get the scheme down, which will take hopefully a couple of days,” Bosa said. “It’s not too complicated, but just getting the nuances of it down. I think he’ll be able to set the edge as good as anybody we have. We obviously have him here because he can rush.”
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AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Browns QB Deshaun Watson not practicing again with injury; signs point to him sitting against 49ers
By TOM WITHERS AP Sports Writer
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson isn’t practicing, and it’s looking more likely that he won’t be playing this week either.
Cleveland’s starting quarterback missed his third straight practice on Thursday as he continues to rehab a bruised rotator cuff in his right shoulder, an injury that may keep him out of Sunday’s game against the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers.
While Watson stayed inside, P.J. Walker again worked with Cleveland’s starting offense. If Watson can’t play, and signs are pointing to that being the case, Walker will make his debut for the Browns (2-2).
Watson hasn’t practiced fully since Sept. 22, two days before he injured his shoulder on a running play in a win over Tennessee. The 28-year-old was limited the following week in practice but was expected to play against Baltimore.
However, Watson couldn’t throw with any velocity during a workout about three hours before kickoff and it was decided he would sit against the Ravens.
Coach Kevin Stefanski initially said it was Watson’s decision not to play — despite being medically cleared by the Browns — before general manager Andrew Berry offered the choice was made mutually by the QB and team.
Whatever the case, Watson hasn’t returned to the field and it’s still not known who will start against the 49ers.
“It’s up in the air,” Browns offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt said before practice. “Obviously if Deshaun can make it, that’d be great. And if he can’t, then P.J. will be just fine. So we’re ready for either scenario.
“Obviously we’re going to give him every chance to make it to the game.”
On Wednesday, the Browns moved Walker ahead of rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson into the backup role. Walker made seven starts over three seasons in Carolina, and he gives Cleveland’s coaching staff more comfort if he has to start.
Thompson-Robinson struggled in his NFL debut, throwing three interceptions in a 28-3 loss to Baltimore.
Van Pelt said it’s possible Watson could play without practicing, but ideally it would be better for him to get some practice reps.
While the Browns have said Watson’s shoulder is structurally sound, he’s still not able to perform at a high level.
“It’s not fun when your living is throwing the football and you can’t throw it how you’re used to throwing it,” said Van Pelt, who spent nine seasons as a backup QB with Buffalo and battled his share of shoulder injuries.
“It’s tough. It’ll take some time, but when he’s ready, he’ll be ready to roll.”
Because of the mixed messaging, Watson has been criticized in some circles for not playing with what seems like a minor injury.
Van Pelt, though, said it’s unfair to judge Watson without knowing the extent of his injury.
“I would never, ever, ever doubt his toughness,” Van Pelt said. “I’ve seen him play. I’ve seen him do some amazing things, fight through things. That is not the issue at all whatsoever. If I’m a running back and I can’t run full speed, I don’t know if I’m going to be able to make it.
“I might be cleared medically, but I can’t operate with my strength, which is my legs as a runner, so same as a thrower for him. I would never, ever, ever doubt his toughness. He’s tough as nails. He’s a fierce competitor.”
NOTES: All-Pro LG Joel Bitonio (knee) also missed his third practice in a row, putting his availability in question for Sunday. Bitonio has started 102 consecutive games. If he’s out, Michael Dunn will start. … TE David Njoku (burns) also sat out again. He’s recovering from burns suffered on Sept. 29 in a firepit accident at home. Njoku played two days later and had six catches in the loss to Baltimore. “He was able to play through it, which was amazing,” said wide receiver Amari Cooper. “Just putting a helmet on, I’m sure, was very painful. So imagine getting tackled. Your helmet always coming down. You’re sweating. It was a lot he had to deal with. I commend him for that.”
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
The Associated Press contributed to this article
